ATTN: People with Full-Time Jobs!

semeyer

I just don't get HOW you do it?!!! How do you find time to exercise when you have a full-time job??!!!

A breakdown of my schedule:
4:30am - Wake up and get ready for work
5:30am - Leave for work
6:30am - 5:00pm Work
6:30pm - Get home from work, make dinner
9:00pm - Slowly dying, crawling for my bed...

I would even throw in the lunch workout but unless I skip lunch altogether, its impossible since my company has a "no eating at your desk" policy, which I admit helps cut down on snacking, but makes it hard to fit in a lunch-time workout sesh.

Any suggestions what I can do???!!!

bschafers

Wow! That's a crazy schedule! I have a similar one, but I don't have to leave for work until 7, so I can get up at 4:30, workout and then get myself and the kids ready. Is there any way that you could work in a few minutes at the Y or something after work? I have several co-workers that do that and then get to drive home w/o dealing with the rush hour traffic...

scagneti

That's similar to my husband's schedule (he doesn't need as long in the morning to get ready, but he sleeps the extra half hour). He works out after work. We'll have dinner planned so there isn't a big "what should we have" discussion. It isn't optimal, but I doubt you want to be waking up earlier.

The other option is to walk on your lunch break during nicer days. You can either bring your lunch with you or go for your walk and come back 10 minutes before you start again and eat then (depending on your hunger level).

roylawrence87

awake 4 am
Leave house 445
work 530 330pm
workout 530 900pm
what a schedule I keep.
I workout on the weekends too.
Just a life to live

Alita2011

My schedule is very similar to yours...Let me add that I do get burned out because some days I would rather sleep

4:15-5am-Wake up work out (don't have time for lolly gagging around or I would miss the entire time)
5-5:15a.m. shower and iron clothes for children and myself
5:30-6:30am get children dressed and breakfast
6:30-7:15 am get self dressed//leave for work
8-5Work
5-6 get home and family settles/start dinner
6-7 baths and dinner
7-8 hang out with family
8-9 slowly crawl into bed and start over again...

Its hard but it has to be done!

louisee294

These schedules are MENTAL. never mind "how do you fint in awork out".... more like "how do you work those crazy hours!!!???"I work full time (or so i thought!!) 9-5. I feel very lucky!

Pullwench

Try making a couple dinners in one day. That way all you have to do is warm it up when you get home, then head on over to the gym.

Sasha_Bear

Your schedule is similar to mine you have to plan better get yourself a crock pot put dinner on before leaving for work by the time you get home it will be done. You have to get use to making things that can be easily reheated, that way you can still get in a workout instead of slaving over the stove.

Koriannvictoria

Here is mine…..
6:45 am get up
get kids up and ready for school
get myself ready for school
classes at 8:30 - 3:30
homework 2hrs
dinner, clean up,
then 7:30 I schedule 1 hour min walk/workout with friends
tv time with family: I do sit ups and push ups while we watch
all while pushing my big dog off me! lol
bedtime usually 10:30pm
doing laundry? I do sets of squats (takes longer to fold but all is good)
sometimes at school I hide in the bathroom stalls and do squats or jumping jacks to get blood going.
wall pushups
and I work weekends and there are lots of stairs
which i run up and down fast every time I use them…
during break time hit the hall ways, instead of coffee shop or vegging……
weekends is gym time 1 hr after work…..

dave4d

I only sleep 6 hours on days I have to work. I get up at 3:30 to be to work by 5. get off work at 5, go to the gym, get home at 7, drink a shake, and go to bed. between 8 and 9.

calypott

Wake up: 5 am
Gym: 530-630
Get ready for school/work/day: 700-800
Drive to school- 800-900
Class- 930-1230
Work- 1330-2100
Homework 2130-whenever its finished
Sleep-

Ooo..and there we go again.

I just decided that I have to make time. If I dont wake up early and go to the gym, then I really dont have the energy to make it through my long day. One of these days I wont have school, so my day wont be sooo busy.

Thomasm198

My current schedule is:
6.30am get up.
7.00am leave or work.
8.00am arrive in work.
4.00pm leave work.
5.00pm get home.

A few years ago when I was doing a College Degree course at night my schedule was:
5.30am get up
6.00am leave for work
7.00am arrive in work
5.00pm leave work and head to College (yes, my boss was a tyrant at the time - 10 hour days, 6 days per week) :mad:
10.30pm leave college
11.15pm arrive home
11.30pm Bed

myofibril

Some of your schedules are bonkers! I mean, seriously. I'm suprised some of you are even standing, let along managing to work out. Hats off to you.

I personally reckon tight dietary compliance is about 80% of this game so not working out every day is not a huge setback.

Also, exercise sessions don't have to be long to be effective. Most people faff around in their routines meaning the ACTUAL time they send working out is quite low. You can either work hard or you can work long. I am a fan of short workouts at high intensity. For example by weights routine doesn't last much more than 30 mins as I superset cutting down rest times etc.

Also, I much prefer HIIT to steady state cardio. 15 minutes of sprints (15 secs sprints followed by 45 secs recovery) and I am wiped out. Add in 5 mins warm up and 5 mins and that's a total of 25 minutes max. You don't even need to be in a gym to do HIIT. You could find a convenient space (say a local park) and find a distance it takes you 15 secs to cover. Then walk back to the starting point. Do that over a few times.

There's always a solution and time to devote to your health if it is important enough...

secostley

You may have to focus most of your efforts during the week on dieting and eating healthy and devote your weekends to actually working out. I know a few people who only work out on the weekends, but they eat extremely "clean" and "lean" during the week. They also take every advantage to get exercise in at work. For example, one friend of mine literally parks one mile from his office so he can walk back and forth. The other doesn't take the elevator at all, but does the steps. Just a few suggestions.

Let me know how things work for you!


Shawn

chrish1981

Find something you enjoy doing and just make yourself do it.

It sucks, but if you find something you enjoy, it won't be that bad.

For instance, I just found Zumba classes in my area, and so I look forward to those. They're later at night, so I have time to make dinner, etc. and even get a nap in usually. Also I have the Zumba Wii game, so I can play that whenever.

I feel your pain; some days it's hard. I teach all day then some nights I have church meetings, dance class, some days I have meetings after work....and somedays you just don't feel like doing squat!

sandmart2009

I work around the same schedule. Worse - I stand the whole day as I work at the front desk of a hotel. I am usually whacked out tired when I get home.
I have a playlist I keep at home which runs about 30mins and I dance to it every night. Pretty neat. My doctor told me that I don't have to kill myself with working out. She suggested I keep a structured meal plan for dinner - all protein if I can help it and very low on carbs. She said so long as I keep my daily meals within 1200 calories and I work out and I bring up my heart rate (so I start burning calories) for about 30mins a day (while dancing), I should be headed down to a happy weight.
I hope this helps. Being a wife, mom and working full-time is a huge challenge. But, nothing will stop us!

bgtorres

It is hard!
My schedule is :
Wake up at 4am.
Get My baby ready for the sitter at 4:30
Start my work out at 5:15
Eat Breakfast & then shower by:6:30-45
At work by 7:15am.
Come home at 4:30pm.
Cook Dinner at 5:00p.m.
In college (FULL TIME STUDENT) 6:30-10:00p.m.
(MY DAY IS VERY EXHAUSTING) but I manage to make time and work out:) Hope this helps:)

amycal

I think secostly has a good suggestion -that is what I was going to say. You could try to walk a the furthest bathroom, go up and down stairs, park far away in parking lot etc to get more activity in.

wpij25

guess i am lucky my job is physical I get to exercise at work :P my weight problem is the calorie consumption and not realizing I was starving my body because I never realized that I need to replace the calories I burn at work everyday. Once I found the free app on my droid and started using it the weight is melting and I am happy

gp79

I bet that if you add in a workout right after work, your energy levels (in general) would increase and you'd adjust in no time. It's breaking your current routine that will be tough at first. If you eat 3x per day and READY to eat right after work, consider a 4pm snack to hold you over until you eat dinner.

furrina

--Find a gym near where you work, do a 30 min workout (cardio 3x wk, weights 2x, etc.) then eat your lunch at the gym before you leave.

--Invest in a treadmill or elliptical and work out at home after dinner.

Though getting up at 430 am and crawling into bed at 9pm and not having time to even exercise is pretty insane unless you're, like, training to be a neurosurgeon. Hope it's worth it.

I've always belonged to a 24 hour gym. I can go at night, like 11-1 if that's the only time I can do it.

Shawnalee0703

I think I've got it made... But I want to get to maintenance so I don't have to KILL IT every week to keep it off, I will kill it now so I will have time to breathe when we have kids and I have my own classroom, ok so I won't be having much breathing time but then I will look at the gym as "my time" to think and get out frustrations and what not. Working out is what you make it. Do what you can and just watch your calories and the quality of the foods you are eating. You will be fine.

Up for work between 530 and 7 (depending on where I am subbing that day)
Off to work between 630 and 815 (again depending on where I am subbing)
Off between 230 and 4 (again depending on where I am subbing) *7.5 hrday*
snack as soon as the kids leave the school then straight to the gym between 3 and 5
Home to make my juice and clean up between 430 and 630
Then dinner usually before 730.
Bed between 1030 and 12 (I am a night owl and don't tire easily)

I do NOT always know my work schedule the day before, let alone the week before. This means I have to plan all meals ahead of time and pack for the gym and my snacks and lunch before bed... just in case something comes up .
I workout during the week 3-4 times and once on the weekends.... on a good week.
I think ya should just make the best with what you can! :-D Even if it's a quick workout before dinner in your living room or a walk on your lunch and then plan a BIG gym day on the weekend. Do what you can, don't stress about it. Eat well and you will be fine. Also, if you are going to cram in a workout during the week make it the best it can be, do crazy intervals or BUSY heart throbbing circuits (obviously not on lunch hehe unless it's long enough to shower)! Make it a GOOD one. And make it fun! :-D Good luck!

emmaleigh47

I have a very tight schedule, plus I am on call alot as well, so no working out when I am on call.
I do not work out much during the week ...

I would suggest scheduling longer workouts on the weekends for yourself when you have time to fit them in... and schedule 1 night a week to get a home workout in. You can also try one night a week to go to the gym... and just let hubby or family be on their own for dinner, make a crock pot, etc. You NEED to make yourself a priority or it will NEVER happen!

I love ya... and Im not being harsh. For example this is my schedule ...

Up at 6am
Leave house at 7am
(one hour drive to work)
On call and work frrom 8-6pm
If I go to gym ... no one gets dinner made.
I eat dinner then at 9-10pm....

I run on Tuesday for about 1 hour..... and I "try" for Thursdays... but it doesnt always happen to be honest. Sundays have been my long run (so I havent been working out on Saturdays, but I used to run and go to the gym on Saturday and have that be my big workout day.

Get some activity during the day if you can ... take the stairs.... go for a walk ... go squats, lunges, pushups, etc!

Good luck! Much luv!

Shawnalee0703

I have a very tight schedule, plus I am on call alot as well, so no working out when I am on call.
I do not work out much during the week ...

I would suggest scheduling longer workouts on the weekends for yourself when you have time to fit them in... and schedule 1 night a week to get a home workout in. You can also try one night a week to go to the gym... and just let hubby or family be on their own for dinner, make a crock pot, etc. You NEED to make yourself a priority or it will NEVER happen!

I love ya... and Im not being harsh. For example this is my schedule ...

I completely agree... in order for you to be able to give your all to others you need to be 100% committed to YOU. You will work it out. :-D Just make the best of it.

Shawnalee0703

I just don't get HOW you do it?!!! How do you find time to exercise when you have a full-time job??!!!

A breakdown of my schedule:
4:30am - Wake up and get ready for work
5:30am - Leave for work
6:30am - 5:00pm Work
6:30pm - Get home from work, make dinner
9:00pm - Slowly dying, crawling for my bed...

I would even throw in the lunch workout but unless I skip lunch altogether, its impossible since my company has a "no eating at your desk" policy, which I admit helps cut down on snacking, but makes it hard to fit in a lunch-time workout sesh.

Any suggestions what I can do???!!!

What about a small snack on the way to the gym after work or on the way home, wherever you workout.... get in 30 min and head home to make dinner..... maybe? I eat and drive all the time lol if that's the only time I can get it in.... so be it

lkm111

I work out between 8:00-9:00 p.m. after my daughter goes to bed. Not ideal, but it's what I've got. I'm up by 6:00 a.m., teach on my feet all day, come home, help w/ homework while making dinner, do dishes and some housework, then help get her ready for bed.

I will say that after building up my stamina from working out, I am able to get through my day a lot more easily.

Shawnalee0703

I just don't get HOW you do it?!!! How do you find time to exercise when you have a full-time job??!!!

A breakdown of my schedule:
4:30am - Wake up and get ready for work
5:30am - Leave for work
6:30am - 5:00pm Work
6:30pm - Get home from work, make dinner
9:00pm - Slowly dying, crawling for my bed...

I would even throw in the lunch workout but unless I skip lunch altogether, its impossible since my company has a "no eating at your desk" policy, which I admit helps cut down on snacking, but makes it hard to fit in a lunch-time workout sesh.

Any suggestions what I can do???!!!

What about a small snack on the way to the gym after work or on the way home, wherever you workout.... get in 30 min and head home to make dinner..... maybe? I eat and drive all the time lol if that's the only time I can get it in.... so be it

amelia_atlantic

Wow! Some of these schedules are nuts!

I work 8:30-5 and go to school part time but I find the time to work out. I have to or I'd lose my mind.

Some tricks I use:
Cook a couple different meals Sunday and Monday and pack them up in tupperware. That way you have options for lunch AND dinner.

Pack your gym clothes!

Find a gym in the same neighborhood of your job and tell yourself you'll do at least 30 minutes Monday, Wednesday, Friday (or whatever...)

If you have the option of eating at your desk, use your break times to go for walks or go up and down stairs!

Find DVDs you like and do them after dinner/before bed.

GOOD LUCK! Make time for yourself and your health!

deeanne22

OMG 4:30am


I get up at 6:15 / 6:30am

Start work at 8:30 and leave at 5.

Get home about 5:30pm.

Do an hour exercise and then put on the dinner.

Bed at 10 and and hour of my slendertone in bed with the tv on

Stefani74

If I workout in the morning my schedule goes like this:

4:00-4:15 Get up and workout
5:00 Shower and get ready for work
6:15-6:30 Head to work
7:00-5:00 Work (an hour lunchbreak, I am going to start walking when it warms up)
5:30-9:00 Dinner, cleaning, laundry, whatever
9:00 -BEDTIME!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!

My husband and I are going to start working out at night together, we have plenty of time after dinner.

Sharont213

here is my day ..genearlly, this is how my day goes

5:30am - Wake up and get ready for work
6:30am - Leave for work
7:30am - 4:00pm Work
5:00pm - Get home from work, set up computer so I can continue to work as needed through evening
5:30pm - 6:30 workout a couple of times a week
6:30pm - Make dinner
8:00pm - Make lunches (while hubby cleans and does dishes)
8:30pm - sit and relax while answering emails and monitoring for issues
10:00pm - go to bed and get ready to start again next day

It certainly isn't easy.. dr appts, errrands.. all sorts of things can derail you. I am fortunate that I don't have young kids at home, my husband is very supportive and doesn't mind waiting until after I work out for me to make dinner and he does alot around the house to help me out.

But now that I read what I do, I think I am ready for a nap.. :laugh: